Public Statements

Rep. Pitts' Statement On DC Marriage Act

Statement

Rep. Joe Pitts (PA-16) today called on Congress to act to prevent the new Washington, DC law to redefine marriage from taking effect until residents are allowed to vote on a ballot initiative. The Washington, D.C. Board of Elections has denied a request for a ballot initiative based on the city's Human Rights Act. Congress, however, has not given the Board the power to deny an initiative based on this law. Congress has 30 legislative days to review the act and determine whether it should become law.

Rep. Pitts' statement follows:

"Many residents of Washington, DC agree that marriage should be between one man and one woman. They have been unfairly silenced as the D.C. Council went about the process of changing marriage laws in the District.

"In every single case where the voters have had the opportunity to decide on the definition of marriage, they have concluded that the law should recognize marriage as a union between one man and one woman. I hope that Washington, D.C. residents have the same right to determine their marriage laws at the ballot box that 31 other states have already had."